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John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:6

6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. Ver. 6. And the apostles and elders, &c. ] This was the first Christian council. The four following general councils, a Gregory the Great held of equal authority almost with the four Gospels. In posterioribus conciliis (saith Luther) nunquam de fide, sed semper de opinionibus et quaestionibus fuit disputatum: ut mihi conciliorum nomen pene tam suspectum et invisum sit quam nomen liberi arbitrii. He fitly... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:7

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Ver. 7. And when there had been much disputing ] Each part striving for victory, till the apostles stood up and determined. It was no matter between Austin and Jerome, in their disputations, who gained the day; they would both win, by understanding their errors.... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:9

8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Ver. 9. Purifying their hearts by faith ] Faith (as a neat housewife) sweeps clean, and suffers never a slut’s corner in the soul. It is ever purging upon corruption, and lets out the lifeblood of it; for it shows a man a better project than to lie sucking at the botches of carnal pleasures, or to be basely... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:10

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Ver. 10. Now, therefore, why tempt ye God ] Or (as Jerome in a certain epistle to Augustine reads this text, and so it runs more smoothly), "Why attempt ye to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples," &c. Ceremonies were abolished by Christ, and had no use after his death, but by accident; as he who buildeth a vault, letteth the centrals stand till he put... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:11

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Ver. 11. That through the grace ] We sail to heaven all upon one bottom; we climb up all by one ladder. If any conceit another way, he must erect a ladder and go up alone: he shall (as Aristotle somewhere saith) κακα εφ εαυτον ελκειν ως το κακιας νεφος , plunge himself into remediless misery. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:12

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. Ver. 12. Then all the multitude kept silence ] See here the picture of a lawful council, guided by the word and Spirit of God. It was not a Cyclopical assembly, ubi ουδεις ουδεν ουδενος ακουει , nor as in Alcibiades’ army, where all would be leaders, no learners, &c. Or, as the Jews of this day in their Jeshiboth, or academies,... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:13

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Ver. 13. James answered ] Who seemed to be a pillar, Galatians 2:9 , and was so, both of the college of apostles and of the Church at Jerusalem. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:14

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Ver. 14. Simeon hath declared, &c. ] q.d. He hath done it very well, only he hath not alleged any text of Scripture for confirmation; which therefore I will add. In Popish councils the Holy Scripture is in a manner set aside; and the decrees of fathers, schoolmen, and former councils brought in place thereof. At the Council of Basil, when the Hussites refused to admit of any... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:15

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, Ver. 15. And to this agree, &c. ] The Scriptures must overrule; as Cyril saith in a synod at Ephesus, upon a high throne in the temple there lay sanctum Evangelium, the holy gospel. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 15:16

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: Ver. 16. Which is fallen down ] Christ came when all seemed to be lost and laid on heaps. He still reserveth his holy hand for a dead lift, and delighteth to help those that are forsaken of their hopes. This Branch grew out of the roots of Jesse; when that goodly family was sunk so low, as from David the king to Joseph the carpenter,... read more

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